The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) held its annual meeting on November 4th, 2021. Attendees had the option of joining the meeting virtually through the Zoom platform or in-person at the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa. This year the FPAA hosted the meeting just prior to the start of the 52nd Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament to celebrate FPAA members and elect a new board as the association headed into its convention.
The FPAA membership consists of Distributor and Associate member companies. Open board seats available included two-year terms for eight Distributor members and one-year terms for two associate members. During the 2021 Annual Meeting, members had the opportunity to submit nominations for the available seats. FPAA chairman, Leonardo Tarriba (Farmer’s Best International) led this portion of the meeting.
Tarriba began the second year of his two-year term as chairman. Tarriba was joined by chairman-elect, Rod Sbragia (Tricar Sales) and past chair, Scott Vandervoet (Vandervoet & Associates) who also have one year remaining in their positions.
- Re-elected, two-year term, 2021-2023:
Raquel Espinoza (Produce House)
Juan Manuel Ibarra (Marengo Foods)
James Martin (Wilson Produce)
Juan Pablo Molina (Fresh Farms)
Walter Ram (The Giumarra Companies)
Mikee Suarez (MAS Melons & Grapes) - Newly elected, two-year term, 2021-2023:
Omar Losolla (Seeded Produce)
Guillermo Martinez (Frello Fresh) - Re-elected, one-year term, 2021-2022:
Chuck Thomas (Thomas Produce) - Newly elected, one-year term, 2021-2022:
Alejandro Suarez (Suarez Brokerage) - Re-elected, division chairmen:
Tomato division: Jimmy Munguia (Del Campo Supreme)
Mango division: Chris Ciruli (Ciruli Brothers) - Directors, one year left, 2020-2022:
Bobby Astengo (Peppers Plus)
Gonzalo Avila (Malena Produce)
Martin Ley (Shipley Sales)
Matt Mandel (SunFed)
Jose Antonio Martinez (Divine Flavor)
Eric Meyer (Prime Time)
Bert Monteverde Jr. (H.M. Distributing)
Lesley Sykes (The Sykes Co.) - Nogales U.S. customs brokers association seat:
Demetrio Kyriakis (K&K International Logistics) continues as the FPAA board representative of the Nogales US Customs Brokers Assoc.
“To serve one another’s interest in the industry is an elevated calling for members of the FPAA,” said FPAA president Lance Jungmeyer. “The FPAA is blessed to have great returning board members as well as some new faces.”
The FPAA is excited to welcome new and re-elected board members. Their commitment and dedication in supporting the mission and goals of the organization contributes to the growth of the organization.
For more information:
Lance Jungmeyer
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
lance@freshfrommexico.com
www.freshfrommexico.com
Allison Moore
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
amoore@freshfrommexico.com
www.freshfrommexico.com